A leading figure in Glasgow's new Masorti congregation has been relieved of his role as burial officer by the Glasgow Hebrew Burial Society (GHBS).

Warren Bader was informed by letter that his services were no longer required because of a "change of circumstance".

Mr Bader, who did not have a contract, had worked for the society for almost two years. He said it had been "a great privilege to serve the community in this way - it was just so fulfilling." He would not comment further on legal grounds.

He will continue to work for two other local burial societies, Garnethill and Cathcart. A Garnethill spokesperson said Mr Bader had "handled his brief with skill and feeling and he's very popular. His contract is up for review in April and we don't see any reason not to renew it."

The launch of Scotland Masorti has not been universally welcomed by leaders of Glasgow's declining Jewish community. Before its inaugural service last month, Giffnock and Newlands Synagogue minister Rabbi Moshe Rubin said: "With the size of the community, it's just not desirable to create yet another division."

GHBS is the burial society open to Giffnock and Newlands members, as well as those from Newton Mearns Synagogue. GHBS vice-chair David Jackson claimed it had no legal obligation to Mr Bader.

Asked if its action had anything to do with Mr Bader's Masorti involvement, Mr Jackson replied: "I will say quite categorically there were many reasons why we decided to do this, the greatest of which was the cost effectiveness. I know nothing whatsoever about the Masorti movement except that it exists."

In the short term, members of the executive would cover Mr Bader's work on a voluntary basis.